Friends Ian Smith and Alain Campbell were passionate about the island they called home, the Isle of Tyree, the most westerly island in the Inner Hebrides of Scotland. The island consists of picturesque golden white sands and almost tropical blue waters against the visual contrast of the Machair, which in Scots Gaelic translates as ‘low-lying grassy plain.’ One of the rarest natural habitats in Europe and only found on the exposed west-facing shores of some Scottish islands Scotland and parts of Ireland, the Machair comes alive in spring and summer with an abundance of plants, flowers, insects and wildlife, providing a genuinely unique eco-system rich in colour, sounds and aromas. With a population of roughly 600 people, the island and its residents have continued to embrace its traditions and history whilst exploring ways of bringing visitors and new residents to what is nicknamed the “Hawaii of the north”.
Ian and Alain also shared an interest in whisky and gin, which was the catalyst that inspired the pair to establish the Tiree Whisky Company in April 2012. The friends envisioned a distillery on the island that would craft unique spirits shaped and influenced by the people and the place. Ian discovered that the island was once home to various legal and illicit distilleries and saw their new distillery as a way to honour the rich and complex history of distilling on Tiree. Alain, with his background in crofting, knew the landscape well, including which plants and botanicals could be responsibly foraged for use in their gin. However, starting a distillery on what some would call a remote Scottish Island posed various risks for Ian, Alain, and any potential investors, along with a long list of logistical challenges.
Like many other new Scottish Gin businesses, the friends initially decided to work with a distillery that could support them with the recipe development and distillation, easing some of the commercial pressures of running a distillery and providing space and time to refine their branding, packaging and how best to incorporate elements of the island. Ian and Alain knew transparency about this aspect of their gin production production was essential. When they eventually launched their Tyree Gin in 2017, they made it clear on their website and marketing that their gin was produced under contract by another distillery until they could plan, fund and open a distillery on the Isle of Tyree.
The Isle of Tyree Gin brand, using original spelling of the island before it was changed in the middle of the 18th century to Tiree, grew steadily over the next two years. Ian and Alain balanced learning about the distillation process, building a loyal customer base, and keeping an eye out for a distillery site on the island, eventually securing an existing building in West Hynish, a small settlement on the island’s southeast coast. The site and buildings were refurbished and modernised over the following 18 months. In February 2019, almost 7 years after establishing the Tiree Whisky Company, the Isle of Tyree Distillery began gin production in West Hynish. It was a memorable moment for co-founders Ian and Alain, who finally realised their long-held dream of establishing a distillery, signalling a new chapter in the story of spirits and distillation on the Isle of Tyree.
Since opening the distillery on the island, Ian and Alain have produced several new Tyree Gin expressions, including their popular Tyree Hebridean Pink Gin and several seasonal releases featuring aromas and flavours influenced by the island’s changing seasons. The friends have also worked on their Isle of Tyree whisky, developing their new make spirit, sourcing and filling casks that will one day yield another milestone for Ian and Alain.
Tyree Gin is the signature Scottish Gin from the Isle of Tiree Distillery. A classic London Dry Scottish Gin, Tyree Gin combines locally foraged botanicals, including eyebright, kelp, ladies' bedstraw and water mint, with two commercial botanicals, including angelica and juniper. The nose and flavour profile capture hints of the Machair, the low lying grassy areas and flower beds dotted along the dunes and coastline of the Hebridean islands. On the nose, fresh and herby with piney juniper meld with light florals and coastal notes. On the palate, earthy and fresh piney juniper leads balanced with green herbs and creamy vanilla transition to a cooling, fresh mint note. There is also a gentle, slight sweetness throughout the palate and subtle saline notes. On the finish, floral and green herbaceous notes linger with a fresh and clean coastal saltiness.
Key Botanical(s): Kelp, Ladies Bedstraw, Water Mint
Gin Style: London Dry Scottish Gin
Strength: 40% ABV
Goes great with: A slice of grapefruit, tonic and ice.
Tyree Hebridean Pink Gin from the Isle of Tiree Distillery is a flavoured Scottish Gin combining classic gin botanicals with bright, fruity raspberries. On the nose, fresh and sweet raspberry notes with subtle pine and earth notes in the background. On the palate, a big and bright natural raspberry flavour is balanced with notes of citrus and some subtle earthy juniper. On the finish, a lingering raspberry sweetness develops before transitioning to a green, savoury, herbaceous note.
Key Botanical(s): Citrus Peels, Juniper, Raspberries
Gin Style: Flavoured Scottish Gin
Strength: 40% ABV
Goes great with: A few raspberries, a twist of lemon peel, tonic and ice.
Tyree Citrus Gin, originally released as a seasonal summer edition, was inspired by the aromas and flavours of summer on the Hebridean island of Tiree. Botanicals include chamomile, juniper, lime and orange peels and number of other classic gin botanicals. Aromas and flavours combine delicate summer florals and crisp citrus notes.
Key Botanical(s): Chamomile, Lime Peels, Orange Peels
Gin Style: London Dry Scottish Gin
Strength: 40% ABV
Goes great with: A twist of orange peel, tonic and ice.
Tyree Spiced Gin, originally releases as a seasonal winter edition, was inspired by the aromas and flavours of winter on the Hebridean island of Tiree. Botanicals include angelica root, cardamom, cloves, coriander seeds, cranberries, ginger root, juniper, lime peels, liquorice, orange peels and pink peppercorns. Aromas and flavours combine rich, aromatic warming spices, fruit pudding and deep, earthy notes.
Key Botanical(s): Cranberries, Cloves, Pink Peppercorns
Gin Style: London Dry Scottish Gin
Strength: 40% ABV
Goes great with: A twist of orange peel, ginger ale and ice.
Isle of Tiree Distillery officially started production of Tyree Gin in 2019, bringing legal distillation back to the Isle of Tiree for the first time in 217 years. The distillery can be found in the remote area of West Hynish, which is south-west on Tiree and home to a modern iStill, a computer controlled still that offers the distiller complete control and precision over the distillation process. The distillery also houses several traditional Portuguese copper alembic stills of various sizes that are used for whisky production. The spirits made on these types of stills are heated by gas flame with the distiller using time, temperature, nosing and tasting the spirit to find the perfect cut off points in the distillation run.
The distillery offers tours, tastings, Na Cùiltean Cocktail Club and the opportunity to craft your own unique Scottish Gin at the gin school using a selection of botanicals and mini stills. Whilst your gin is being distilled, you’ll be able to learn more about the history of gin, the history of distilling on Tiree and sample a selection of spirits made at the distillery. Outside you’ll find a comfortable decked seating area where when the weather permits, you can sit, sip and enjoy the stunning island views.
Tour: Yes
Gin School: Yes
Bar: Yes
Shop: Yes
Booking: Learn more about Isle of Tiree Distillery experiences here
Learn more about the Isle of Tiree Distillery by visiting the links below.
